Traktor DJ Studio

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Traktor DJ Studio is a very flexible digital audio DJing solution developed by Native Instruments. As of version 3, one can create and save loops and cue points. The software also has a built-in mixer, with EQ and Effects for each deck. With an audio interface of two or more channels, one can cue mixes like in a regular DJ setup, using headphones to beatmatch before sending the signal out to the audience. Beatmatching is made more simple, quick, and precise with the usage of beatgrids in this program; a technique that some traditional turntable DJs claiming digital DJing as "cheating". There are extensive playlist functions, beatjumping, along with MIDI capability, and the ability to change tempo without changing the key of the track.

Native Instruments has recently released version 3 with a number of new features from version 2.6, including the ability to use up to 4 decks, new effects, and a new Allen and Heath Xone:92 mixer emulation including the Xone:92's Filter and 4-Band EQ. Version 3 itself was superseded by the update 3.1.3 which arrived sometime during late summer - early fall 2006. This update fixed many minor bugs and added a few other minor features, but would ultimately be shadowed by what was to come on Dec. 1, 2006: Traktor 3.2. With this update, the long-anticipated Universal Binary version was released to Intel-based Mac owners who had been longing to stretch their new Mac's legs with the Traktor software. In addition to 'Mactel' compatibility, 3.2 ushered in several other major features that have been welcomed with cheer from the digital DJ community. These new features included: the ability to cue up the same song into both decks simultaneously, integration of the new BeatPort 3 legal music download service, vastly improved tempo detection, and the ability to 'cache' songs from each deck into the active RAM of the computer, thus allowing greater performance and flexibility (although this requires a good amount of RAM starting with at least 512MB and recommended at around 1024MB).

With the release of Traktor 3.2 came the announcement by Native Instruments that they will no longer be supporting Stanton's FinalScratch products after January 1, 2007. Newly downloaded or purchased versions of Traktor 3.2 after that date will not work with the hardware of FinalScratch. However, previously acquired versions will retain their compatilibty. NI has also announced that it will not leave all of its FinalScratch userbase in the dark and has stated it will announce their plans to help integrate those users of technology from mergers past, and will announce new hardware initiatives that are developed and supported wholly by Native Instruments. This signals the final end of the partnership with Stanton Magnetics and essentially ushers in a new age for Native Instruments' digital DJing product line.

Traktor DJ Studio is compatible with Stanton Magnetics Final Scratch, allowing a DJ to use vinyl records to control Traktor. However, the partnership between the two companies has ended and the future of Final Scratch is unknown. The main competitor for Final Scratch/Traktor in the world of vinyl controlled digital DJing is Serato Scratch Live. Traktor however remains the most fully featured DJing software available, and has a large userbase of digital DJs who do not use vinyl to control the program, and rely on MIDI controllers, or keyboard hotkeys to effectively use Traktor.